Gérard Molle

Bid acts on the permeability transition pore complex to induce apoptosis

Similar to most if not all pro-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family, Bid (and its truncated product t-Bid) triggers cell death via mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP). This effect can be monitored in intact cells, upon microinjection of recombinant Bid protein into the cytoplasm, as well as in purified mitochondria, upon addition of Bid protein. Here we show that Bid-induced MMP can be inhibited, both in cells and in the cell-free system, by three pharmacological inhibitors of the permeability transiton pore complex (PTPC), namely cyclosporin A, N-methyl-4-Val-cyclosporin A, and bongkrekic acid (a ligand of the adenine nucleotide translocase, ANT, one of the PTPC components). Bid effects on synthetic membranes were studied either in proteoliposomes or in synthetic bilayers subjected to electrophysiological measurements. Full length Bid preferentially permeabilizes membranes and induces the formation of large conductance channels at neutral pH, when added to liposomes or bilayers containing both purified ANT and Bax, yet has no or little effect combined with ANT or Bax alone. t-Bid acts on membranes containing ANT alone with the same efficiency as on those containing both ANT and Bax. These results suggest that the proapoptotic effects of Bid are mediated, at least in part, by its functional interaction with ANT, one of the major components of PTPC.

Antimicrobial peptide magainin I from Xenopus skin forms anion-permeable channels in planar lipid bilayers.

The ionophore properties of magainin I, an antimicrobial and amphipathic peptide from the skin of Xenopus, were investigated in planar lipid bilayers. Circular dichroism studies, performed comparatively with alamethicin, in small or large unilamellar phospholipidic vesicles, point to a smaller proportion of alpha-helical conformation in membranes. A weakly voltage-dependent macroscopic conductance which is anion-selective is developed when using large aqueous peptide concentration with lipid bilayer under high voltages. Single-channel experiments revealed two main conductance levels occurring independently in separate trials. Pre-aggregates lying on the membrane surface at rest and drawn into the bilayer upon voltage application are assumed to account for this behaviour contrasting with the classical multistates displayed by alamethicin.

A new mechanism of antibiotic resistance in Enterobacteriaceae induced by a structural modification of the major porin

In Enterobacter aerogenes, multidrug resistance involves a decrease in outer membrane permeability associated with changes in an as yet uncharacterized porin. We purified the major porin from the wild‐type strain and a resistant strain. We characterized this porin, which was found to be an OmpC/OmpF‐like protein and analysed its pore‐forming properties in lipid bilayers. The porin from the resistant strain was compared with the wild‐type protein and we observed (i) that its single‐channel conductance was 70% lower than that of the wild type; (ii) that it was three times more selective for cations; (iii) a lack of voltage sensitivity. These results indicate that the clinical strain is able to synthesize a modified porin that decreases the permeability of the outer membrane. Mass spectrometry experiments identified a G to D mutation in the putative loop 3 of the porin. Given the known importance of this loop in determining the pore properties of porins, we suggest that this mutation is responsible for the novel resistance mechanism developed by this clinical strain, with changes in porin channel function acting as a new bacterial strategy for controlling β‐lactam diffusion via porins.

Pore-forming properties and antibacterial activity of proteins extracted from epidermal mucus of fish.

Among several biological functions, the epidermal mucus of fish may play an important role in host defense, particularly in the prevention of colonization by parasites, bacteria and fungi. In previous work, two hydrophobic proteins of 27 and 31 kDa were isolated from carp mucus. This study identified a strong antibacterial activity (0.16-0.18 microM) well correlated with pore-forming properties. Here this work was extended to other fish species, four fresh water fish and one sea water fish. After a first step of purification, water-soluble and hydrophobic material were separated, and both fractions were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and capillary electrophoresis. Only the hydrophobic component induced pore-forming activity, when reconstituted in planar lipid bilayers. This pore-forming activity was well correlated to a strong antibacterial activity against several bacteria strains. These results suggest that fish secrete antibacterial proteins able to permeabilize the membrane of the target cell and thus act as a defense barrier.

Isolation and characterization of novel glycoproteins from fish epidermal mucus: correlation between their pore-forming properties and their antibacterial activities.

In fish, a layer of mucus covers the external body surface contributing therefore, among other important biological functions, to the defense system of fish. The prevention of colonization by aquatic parasites, bacteria and fungi is mediated both by immune system compounds (IgM, lysozyme, etc.) and by antibacterial peptides and polypeptides. We have recently shown that only the hydrophobic components of crude epidermal mucus of fresh water and sea water fish exhibit strong pore-forming properties, which were well correlated with antibacterial activity [N. Ebran, S. Julien, N. Orange, P. Saglio, C. Lemaitre, G. Molle, Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 122 (1999)]. Here, we have isolated novel glycosylated proteins from the hydrophobic supernatant of tench (Tinca tinca), eel (Anguilla anguilla) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) mucus. The study of their secondary structure was performed by circular dichroism and revealed structures in random coil and alpha-helix in the same proportions. When reconstituted in planar lipid bilayer, they induced the formation of ion channels. This pore-forming activity was well correlated with a strong antibacterial activity (minimal inhibitory concentration < 1 microM for the three proteins) against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Our results suggest that fish secrete antibacterial glycoproteins able to kill bacteria by forming large pores (several hundreds to thousands of pS) in the target membrane.

Ionophore properties of OmpA of Escherichia coli

Both porins OmpA1, from wild-strain K12 Escherichia coli, and OmpA2, from a K12 derivative deficient in both OmpF and OmpC, are able to form ion channels in virtually solvent-free membranes. The conductance has been shown to vary in a discrete fashion with different single increment values especially with OmpA2. This behaviour seems to indicate, beside monomers, the presence of aggregates of different sizes. The estimated small pore diameter (0.6-0.7 nm) for the monomeric would explain the weak permeability of this narrow channel toward different solutes. OmpA protein, from experiments of ion selectivity and zero-current potential, is determined weakly anion selective.

Microcin E492 antibacterial activity: evidence for a TonB‐dependent inner membrane permeabilization on Escherichia coli

The mechanism of action of microcin E492 (MccE492) was investigated for the first time in live bacteria. MccE492 was expressed and purified to homogeneity through an optimized large‐scale procedure. Highly purified MccE492 showed potent antibacterial activity at minimal inhibitory concentrations in the range of 0.02–1.2 µM. The microcin bactericidal spectrum of activity was found to be restricted to Enterobacteriaceae and specifically directed against Escherichia and Salmonella species. Isogenic bacteria that possessed mutations in membrane proteins, particularly of the TonB–ExbB–ExbD complex, were assayed. The microcin bactericidal activity was shown to be TonB‐ and energy‐dependent, supporting the hypothesis that the mechanism of action is receptor mediated. In addition, MccE492 depolarized and permeabilized the E. coli cytoplasmic membrane. The membrane depolarization was TonB dependent. From this study, we propose that MccE492 is recognized by iron‐siderophore receptors, including FepA, which promote its import across the outer membrane via a TonB‐ and energy‐dependent pathway. MccE492 then inserts into the inner membrane, whereupon the potential becomes destabilized by pore formation. Because cytoplasmic membrane permeabilization of MccE492 occurs beneath the threshold of the bactericidal concentration and does not result in cell lysis, the cytoplasmic membrane is not hypothesized to be the sole target of MccE492.

Modification of outer membrane protein profile and evidence suggesting an active drug pump in Enterobacter aerogenes clinical strains

ABSTRACT Two clinical strains of Enterobacter aerogenes that exhibited phenotypes of multiresistance to β-lactam antibiotics, fluoroquinolones, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and kanamycin were investigated. Both strains showed a porin pattern different from that of a susceptible strain, with a drastic reduction in the amount of the major porin but with an apparently conserved normal structure (size and immunogenicity), together with overproduction of two known outer membrane proteins, OmpX and LamB. In addition, the full-length O-polysaccharide phenotype was replaced by a semirough Ra phenotype. Moreover, in one isolate the intracellular accumulation of chloramphenicol was increased in the presence of the energy uncoupler carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, suggesting an energy-dependent efflux of chloramphenicol in this strain. The resistance strategies used by these isolates appear to be similar to that induced by stress in Escherichia coli cells.

MOMP (major outer membrane protein) of Campylobacter jejuni; a versatile pore-forming protein.

The great majority of trimeric porins of Gram‐negative bacteria cannot be dissociated into monomers without disrupting their folded conformation. The porin of Campylobacter jejuni, however, displays two folded structures, a classical oligomer and a monomer resistant to detergent denaturation. We probed the transition of trimer to monomer using light scattering experiments and examined the secondary structures of these two molecular states by infra‐red spectroscopy. The channel‐forming properties of both trimer and monomer were studied after incorporation into artificial lipid bilayers. In these conditions, the trimer induced ion channels with a conductance value of 1200 pS in 1 M NaCl. The pores showed marked cationic selectivity and sensitivity to low voltage. Analysis of the isolated monomer showed nearly the same single‐channel conductance and the same selectivity and sensitivity to voltage. These results indicate that the folded monomer form of C. jejuni MOMP displays essentially the same pore‐forming properties as the native trimer.

Voltage-dependent and multi-state ionic channels induced by trichorzianines, anti-fungal peptides related to alamethicin

The ionophore properties of two peptaibols of the trichorzianine family have been investigated in planar lipid bilayers and compared to those of alamethicin. Macroscopic conductance experiments reveal voltage‐dependent channels only in the thinnest membranes and a greater efficiency of the neutral analog. In single‐channel experiments, a multi‐state behaviour, consistent with the usual barrel‐stave model, is disclosed but the discrete current fluctuations are much more rapid than for alamethicin. The results indicate a stringent requirement for the helix length/bilayer thickness match in agreement with a previous model and suggest the design of new synthetic peptides.